Trace-carrier



(No Model.)

J. L. GILMAN.

TRACE GABRIER.

Patented Feb; 15. 1887.

Zly/

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. GILMAN, or nus MOINES, IOWA.

TRACE-CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 357,823, dated February 15, 1.887. Application filed duly S, 1886. Serial No. 207,462. (No model.) i

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN L. GILMAN, of Des Moincs, in the county of lolk and State of Iowa, have invented a new and Improved TraeeOarrier, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to the construction of a trace-carrier applicable for use in connection with either a single ordouble harness, and so arranged that the ends of the traces may be inserted therein, and, being so inserted, will be securely held against accidental displacement.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved form of trace-carrier. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line as x of Fig. 1.

In constructing such a device as the one illustrated in the drawings above referred to I provide a main casting, 10, which consists of a rectangular frame, upon the sides and ends of which there are formcd loops 11. Across the upper face of the frame 10 there is formed a spider, 12, which supports a central longitudinal'strip, 13, upon each end of which there'are formed hooks l4. Lugs 15 are arrangedat the four corners ofthe main frame, said main frame and all of its parts hcrcinbefore described being cast in one piece.

Upon a transverse central shaft, 16, I mount two plates, 17, that are normally held in the position in which they are shown in the drawings through the action of a spring, 18, that is coiled. about the central portion of the shaft 16, which shaft is threaded to engage with a corresponding thread formed in the socket within which the shaft is fitted. From the construction described it will be seen that the spring 18 acts to hold the plates or leaves 17 againstthe lugs 15.

The trace-carrier described is secured to a harness at the point where the hip-straps join the back-strap, and may be used as a connection between the backstrap, the hipstraps, and the crupper.

In use the free end of the trace is placed between one of the hooks 14 and its folding plate 17, the trace being forced inward until the hook engages with the eockeye of the trace, one trace being engaged by each hook.

The attachment described constitutes a cheap, durable, and eflicienttrace-carrier that can be applied to any form of harness, and one which in use furnishesa safe and sure means for upholding the free ends of the traces, relieving the stable-man of the trouble and inconvenience of doing up the trace to prevent its dragging upon the ground.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a main frame formed with a spider carrying a hook-bar, 18, of leaves 17, mounted upon a transverse shaft, 16, and normally upheld by a spring, 18, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a main frame formed with a spider, 12, which carries a bar, 13, formed with hooks 14, lugs 15 being formed upon the frame, of leaves 17, supported by a shaft, 16, and normally held against the lugs by aspring, 18, substantially as described.

J OHN L. GILMAN.

\Vitnesses:

A. G. lVIANN, J. O. GALEAF. 

